Toyota Avalon Best and Worst Years (2005–2022)
Toyota Avalon years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013, based on NHTSA complaint indexes of 82, 100, 94, 88, and 76. The best-rated years are 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, all with complaint indexes at or below 24.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2013Best 2016Best 2018Best 2020Best 2021Best 2022
- Model years
- 18
- 2005–2022
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,897
- Recall campaigns
- 27
- Crashes reported
- 244
- Fires reported
- 17
- Top problem area
- Engine
Avalon Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Toyota Avalon problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 82 | 228 | 36 | 3 | 7 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 100 | 360 | 54 | 4 | 7 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 94 | 243 | 47 | 1 | 6 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 88 | 349 | 23 | 4 | 6 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 71 | 91 | 10 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 23 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 41 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 7 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 65 | 106 | 14 | 0 | 1 | Steering | 23 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 35 | 30 | 8 | 1 | 4 | Structure & Body | 22 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 76 | 137 | 14 | 1 | 4 | Visibility & Wipers | 24.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 59 | 96 | 7 | 1 | 4 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 24.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 29 | 41 | 7 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 24 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Best | 12 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 47 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 24 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 24 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 53 | 70 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Fuel System | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 6 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 18 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 25.5 | 5★ |
Avalon years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Toyota Avalon Index 100 · 360 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2006 Avalon has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, ranking worst overall. Engine issues make up 46% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 48,250. Owners report unintended throttle behavior and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Transmission and powertrain complaints account for 14% of reports, with a median mileage of 16,045. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including seat heater and brake fluid seal issues.
2006 engine problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →2006 brakes problems →
2007 Toyota Avalon Index 94 · 243 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2007 Avalon has a complaint index of 94, ranking 2nd worst. Engine complaints dominate at 44% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 38,348.5. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration events, some resulting in crashes and injuries, and airbags that failed to deploy on impact. Structure and body complaints made up 15%, with a median mileage of 55,477. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns tied to this year, including tire/rim labeling and seat heater fixes.
2007 engine problems →2007 structure & body problems →2007 brakes problems →
2008 Toyota Avalon Index 88 · 349 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2008 Avalon has a complaint index of 88, ranking 3rd worst. Electrical system complaints dominate at 64% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 59,000. Owners report spontaneous acceleration events, missing head-restraint safety features despite documentation stating otherwise, and airbag deployment injuries. Engine complaints made up 14%, with a median mileage of 23,500. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns tied to this model year.
2008 electrical system problems →2008 engine problems →2008 structure & body problems →
2005 Toyota Avalon Index 82 · 228 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2005 Avalon carries a complaint index of 82 and ranks 4th worst of 18 model years. Engine problems account for 45% of complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 48,000. Owners describe sudden acceleration events and brake-response complaints, plus transmission noise reports. Steering complaints made up 18% of the total, with brakes at 11%. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, covering seat heaters, brake fluid seals, and tire/rim labeling.
2005 engine problems →2005 steering problems →2005 transmission & powertrain problems →
2013 Toyota Avalon Index 76 · 137 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2013 Avalon has a complaint index of 76, ranking 5th worst. Visibility and wiper complaints lead at 21% of the total, with a median failure mileage of only 7,000, followed by engine issues at 20% and structure/body complaints at 19% with a median mileage of just 1,000. Owners describe unintended acceleration in parking lots, steering wheels locking mid-turn, and automatic braking activating without cause. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns, including one for a faulty air bag electronic control unit.
2013 visibility & wipers problems →2013 engine problems →2013 structure & body problems →
Most common Toyota Avalon problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine553 (29%)
- Electrical System425 (22%)
- Structure & Body191 (10%)
- Other187 (10%)
- Steering183 (10%)
- Brakes167 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain148 (8%)
- Airbags137 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers106 (6%)
- Fuel System73 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Toyota Avalon years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, avoid the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013 Avalon. The 2006 model has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2007 at 94 and 2008 at 88.
- What are the best Toyota Avalon years?
- The 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Avalon all carry a 'Best' verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with complaint indexes of 12, 24, 6, 18, and 0 respectively.
- Why is the 2006 Toyota Avalon rated so poorly?
- The 2006 Avalon has the highest complaint index of any year, at 100, with 360 total complaints. Engine problems make up 46% of those complaints, with a median failure mileage of 48,250, and NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year.
- Does the 2013 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2013 Avalon, including one covering a faulty air bag electronic control unit and one for a pre-collision system component.
- How many total complaints does the Toyota Avalon have across all years?
- NHTSA lists 1,897 total complaints and 27 recall campaigns across the 18 model years covered, from 2005 to 2022.